6 Best Steam Mops for Laminate Floors

steam mop for laminate floors

Laminate floors are an excellent option for those who want the look of hardwood without the high cost. They also require less maintenance because they don’t need to be refinished as often and can withstand spills better than other types of flooring. The downside is that they’re not easy to clean with a vacuum or broom due to their surface, and cleaning with a traditional mop and bucket is not recommended. 

According to laminate manufacturers, a dampened microfiber mop is the best choice for cleaning laminate wood floors. Our article, are steam mops safe for laminate floors discusses this further. 

Since we know the efficiency of cleaning with steam, we understand many of you turn to steam cleaning to keep your laminate floors in top condition. We have specific recommendations for the best steam mop for laminate floors to keep your floor in the best condition.

Let’s take a look at the best steam mop for laminate floors:

Shark S5003D Genius Hard Floor Cleaning System

Shark S5003D Genius Hard Floor Cleaning System
$7.99
  • Steam Mop with 2 floor pads
  • Electronic steam control with 3 settings
  • 12 month warranty
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02/17/2024 03:44 pm GMT

The best shark steam mop for cleaning laminate floors is Shark S5003D. It has 3 steam settings, the low being ideal for a laminated floor. I really like the double sided steam head which you can flip over during steaming when the pad gets dirty.

This machine heats up quickly and produces high levels of steam, making it a great choice for those who have tough stains to remove. There is the additional steam blaster option, where at the press of a button it shoots out extra steam for any tough dirt. This is particularly useful for loosening build up in corners or along skirting boards.

Top Features of the Shark Steam Pocket Mop Hard Floor Cleaner

  • Lightweight Design: This unit is easy to move around at just over five pounds.
  • Quick-Heating Time: Produces continuous steam in just 30 seconds.
  • Two Dirt Grip Pads Included: Can be used on both hard floors and carpets.
  • Sanitize as You Clean: Kills 99.99% of bacteria with every use.
  • 22ft. Extra-Long Power Cord: Gives you plenty of range to move around without having to stop and unplug.
  • 11.8oz Water Tank: Which flips open to fill the unit with water quickly.
  • 2-Sided Cleaning: The dirt grip pads have two sides, so you can flip them over as they become dirty to use both sides before having to replace them. They are washable for reusing again.

Pros:

  • Affordable Price Point.
  • Quick-Heating Time and High Steam Output.
  • Lightweight Design for Easy Handling.
  • Two Microfiber Pads with a Long Power Cord for Flexibility.

Cons:

  • 1 year warranty
  • Priced over $100

Final Thoughts

The Shark S5003D is a powerful steam cleaner for deep cleaning your floors around your home. The 3 steam control settings make it versatile for different flooring types, including laminate floors. The flip over floor pads are impressive, and allow you to continue steaming without stopping to change until both sides are dirty.

Light ‘n’ Easy Steam Mop 7688AN

LIGHT 'N' EASY Steam Mop
$30.63

This multi purpose steam mop has a detachable handheld steamer and tons of accessories, making it a better buy than the oApier S15 steam mop - even though they are the same brand! It also heats to a hotter 230°F for more effective steam cleaning.

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02/17/2024 06:36 pm GMT

This is a lightweight steam mop and handheld steam cleaner in one, weighing just over 3.5 pounds. This steam mop has 3 settings, making it an excellent choice for steam mopping laminate floors.

One word that’s often repeated by users is “powerful,” which describes the LIGHT ‘N’ EASY steam cleaner perfectly because it really does have a lot of steam power. It’s perfect for removing tough dirt and stains, making it a great choice for those with pets or kids.

The only downside to this machine is that the price is a bit higher than some of the other options on the market. But if you’re looking for quality and versatility, it’s definitely worth considering.

Top Features of the LIGHT ‘N’ EASY Floor Steamer

  • 3 Steam Settings: This steam mop has 3 steam settings
  • Triple Function: the machine can be used as a handheld steamer, a floor steamer, or a garment steamer.
  • Water Tank: 11.5 ounce water tank, runs for up to 25 minutes (depending on the steam setting you select).
  • Carry Handle and Lightweight Design: for easy transport, even if you’re using it for long periods of time.
  • Chemical And Detergent Free: safe to use around children and pets, without harsh chemicals or detergents.
  • Auto Shut Off: Stops steaming when you stand the machine upright.

Pros:

  • Lightweight Design.
  • Long Power Cord.
  • Reusable Microfiber Pad.

Cons:

  • Only comes with one microfiber mop pad. We recommend purchasing extras.
  • 11oz water tank, will need refilling in larger homes.
  • 1 year warranty.

Final Thoughts

The LIGHT ‘N’ EASY steam cleaner is a great choice if you’re looking for versatility and quality in your cleaning machine. With its high-temperature output, easy-to-fill water tank, long power cord, and reusable pad, it’s perfect for those who want a machine that can do it all.

Bissell PowerFresh Deluxe 1806C Steam Mop

steam mop for laminate floors reviews

The Bissell PowerFresh Deluxe 1806C is a steam mop cleaner that comes with an innovative design and easy-to-use features. It’s perfect for those who want something lightweight but still packs enough power to clean even the toughest dirt, stains, and grime from your floors quickly and easily.

This unit features an onboard scrubber that helps remove tough stains. This is useful for grout lines in tiles, without having to bend over.

The PowerFresh Deluxe 1806C also comes with an extra-long power cord, so you don’t have to worry about stopping to unplug and move the machine around.

Top Features of the Bissell Steam Mop

  • Onboard Scrubber: Helps remove tough stains quickly and easily.
  • 25 ft Extra Long Power Cord for Better Maneuverability.
  • Easy to Refill Water Tank: Just flip up the lid and refill with the included cup which attached to the handle of the steamer.
  • Spring Breeze Freshening Discs: Scented disc friendly and scented demineralized water friendly.
  • Swivel Steering: This allows you to maneuver the unit around furniture and other obstacles easily, without having to stop what you’re doing.

Pros:

  • Lightweight Design for Easy Handling.
  • Onboard Scrubber for Tough Stains.
  • Built-in Detergent Dispenser with Spring Breeze Scent Discs Adds a Fresh Smell to Your Floors.
  • Perfect for cleaning vinyl floors, tile, marble, sealed hardwood floors, and more.
  • 2 year warranty.

Cons:

  • Floor use only, no attachments.
  • 2 Steam Settings (high and low)

Final Thoughts

The Bissell PowerFresh Deluxe 1806C Steam Mop is an excellent choice for those who want a powerful steam mop at a reasonable price point. With its onboard scrubber and built-in detergent dispenser, this unit allows you to customize your cleaning experience depending on what needs removing.

It also has all of the standard features you expect from a good steam mop, such as its lightweight design and swivel steering for better maneuverability.

PurSteam 10 in 1 Steam Mop

PurSteam Steam Mop Cleaner
  • Steam mop and handheld steam cleaner
  • Excellent accessories for above floor cleaning
  • Affordably priced
  • Adjustable steam settings
  • Lightweight
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PurSteam have been a leading name in clothing steamers for many years, and this 10 in 1 multi purpose steam mop is as equally impressive. It functions as a steam mop and a handheld steam cleaner. It has 3 steam settings, as we recommend for laminate floors.

The water capacity and steam cleaning time is on par with other steam mops on this list. It also comes with various attachments such as a window squeegee, various grout tools and pads for the mop head.

Top Features of the PurSteam Multipurpose Cleaner

  • Steam Mop and Handheld steamer on one
  • 8 attachments for whole house cleaning not just floors
  • 30 Second heat up time: Helps remove tough stains quickly and easily.
  • Lightweight – weighs 2.2 pounds.

Pros:

  • Best priced steam mop for laminate floors
  • Lightweight Design for Easy Handling.
  • Pads are inexpensive to replace and generic brands are available that fit this machine

Cons:

  • Brush attachments don’t last long
  • Plastic components are prone to breaking
  • Short power cord

Final Thoughts

The PurSteam is a good choice for those looking for a budget machine to clean their to clean their laminate floors. It is not the most heavy duty machine, I wouldn’t expect this to last forever. It is best suited to light use.

The steam settings certainly make it suitable for laminate, with PurSteam also advertising you can use tap water in this floor steamer. I wouldn’t recommend this however, distilled water is best.

Shark Lift Away Pro Steam Pocket Mop – S3973D

shark steam mop for laminate wood floors

I’m really impressed with the dual sided dirt grip pads on the shark steamers and have already featured one of their cleaners on this list. This Shark steamer has a tools setting, and three steam settings for the hot steam mop (dust, mop and scrub). There is also a steam blaster setting for tough dirt and grime. This can be used on both the low and high setting.

Top Features of the Shark Life Away Pro Steam Pocket Mop

  • Steam Mop and Handheld steamer in one
  • Attachments for whole house cleaning not just floors
  • 30 Second heat up time: Helps remove tough stains quickly and easily.
  • Lightweight – weighs 2.2 pounds.

Pros:

  • 30 second heat up
  • Additional steam blasting
  • Extra triangle head for corners and hard to reach areas

Cons:

  • 1 year warranty
  • Doesn’t stay upright on its own
  • Only 1 cleaning pad for the above floor pocket tool

Final Thoughts

This shark steamer has a lot of extra features, which makes it perfect for whole house cleaning, not just your laminate flooring.

If you don’t need all the bells and whistles, take a look at the other Shark Steam Cleaner on this list, which I prefer over this steam pocket mop.

McCulloch MC1385 Deluxe Canister Steam Cleaner

best steam mop for laminate and tile floors

If you have a large home and are looking for a cleaning solution for both your laminate flooring and other areas in your home, I’d recommend looking at a canister steam cleaner. The steam rate varies on this machine from 15 grams per minute on the low setting up to 31 grams per minute on the highest setting.

Using the lowest steam control is always our recommendation for cleaning laminate flooring.

When you consider that a steam mop lasts between 10-20 minutes, depending on water tank size, this steam canister cleaner will run for up to 120 minutes before needing a water refill.

It heats up in 12 minutes, so not ideal for quick clean ups, rather a whole home cleaning solution. Especially with the 23 different attachments that come along with this machine.

Top Features of the McCulloch MC1385 Deluxe Canister Steam System

  • Holds 64oz of water for 2 hours cleaning time
  • Push around the mop head only, the canister rolls behind
  • Attachments for whole house cleaning not just floors

Pros:

  • Long running time
  • 23 attachments with onboard storage
  • Variable steam control
  • Best for large homes
  • 2 year warranty
  • Readily available replacement accessories and mop pads

Cons:

  • 18ft power cord; some steam mops have longer cords
  • Not for quick clean-ups as it takes 12 minutes to heat up
  • The most expensive option on this list (although still very reasonably priced for the size and functionality of the machine)

Final Thoughts

Consider a canister steamer over a steam mop if you can justify spending around $100 extra on a steam cleaner. If you have a large home, I don’t think you’ll regret the longer running time, added attachments, and multi function of a device such as this.

Read my full review of the McCulloch MC1385.

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are our frequently asked questions about steam cleaning laminate flooring:

Is a Steam Mop Safe to Use on Laminate Floors?

This is a controversial topic, with many steam mop manufacturers saying yes and laminate flooring manufacturers saying no. For the best advice, read our article how to safely steam laminate floors here.

Is a Shark Steam Mop Safe for a Laminate Floor?

Shark recommends the lowest steam control on their mops as safe for laminate flooring. It has several safety features, such as an automatic shut-off system, making it a great choice for those who want to clean their floors safely and efficiently. It also works well cleaning many other types of flooring around your home, including tile, marble, sealed hardwood, and more!

Is a Bissell Steam Mop Safe for Laminate Flooring?

The Bissell Powerfresh steam mop on its lowest steam control is best for laminate flooring. It’s one of our favorite choices for those who need a robust and reliable steam mop that can be used on many types of flooring – including linoleum, hardwood floor, or marble.

It also has an onboard scrubber that helps you to remove tough stains. I’d reserve this for grout in your bathroom; however, rather than using it on laminate – it may be too abrasive.

Things to Consider When Buying a Steam Mop for Laminate Floors

When looking for the best steam mop for laminate floors, you’ll want to consider a few factors:

Size

Some steam cleaners are small and handheld, while others are more cumbersome. If you have a big house with lots of floor space to cover, you’ll need a bigger machine. However, if you don’t have a lot of room to cover, the best choice might be a simple steam mop.

A steam mop will hold less water and need more refills. In contrast, a canister steam cleaner offers non-stop cleaning for extended periods.

Flooring Pads

The most gentle option on laminate floors is a microfiber mop pad. Look for a mop head design that suits your needs best (the most common shapes are triangular or rectangle). The mop pad should be thick enough to protect the laminate flooring but still let the steam pass through using the lowest steam setting. 

Weight

Consider the weight of the steaming unit, mainly if it is an all-in-one steam mop. These can get quite heavy to push around. Look for an ergonomic design not to strain or tire out your hands or wrists when in use. 

You should also consider features like swivel steering between the mop and the wand, a long power cord with quick release for easy storage, and access to hard-to-reach areas.

Budget

You don’t want to spend more than you need to on a steam cleaner, but it’s important to remember that sometimes, you get what you pay for. The price of a steam mop will depend on how much you want to spend and the features that come with it. 

Some units are more expensive but may have extra attachments or work in several ways. A cheap model might not have the needed features or power, so read customer feedback before buying.

What is the Best Way to Clean Laminate Floors?

The best way to clean laminate floors is by using a microfiber mop and following your flooring manufacturer’s guidelines. This type of flooring is prone to dirt and dust, so it needs a thorough cleaning from time to time, and that’s when a steam mop comes in handy.

Steam cleaning laminate floors is a controversial topic. As mentioned earlier in this post, many manufacturers don’t recommend using a steam mop. Take a look at feedback online, and you’ll find many people love cleaning their laminate flooring with steam and wouldn’t do it any other way.

Our best advice is to go easy on your laminate floor by using the lowest steam setting, test in a corner (not right in the middle of the floor), and of course, read our guide to safely steaming laminate here.

Lauren